07/29/2026
On July 29, we gathered between fitness classes for a special moment at the Odell Weeks Activities Center - the dedication of the newly named Hansen Aerobics Room, honoring longtime fitness instructor Nancy Hansen.
Nancy devoted an incredible 44 years to teaching fitness at Odell Weeks, partnering with the City of Aiken Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department for more than four decades. Through her classes, she provided affordable and accessible opportunities that helped countless residents build strength, confidence, and lifelong healthy habits.
In the early 2000s, Nancy championed the SilverSneakers program, which has since become a cornerstone for older adults in our community, accounting for more than 5,000 visits to the center in the last fiscal year alone. Beyond fitness, Nancy and her fellow instructors created an environment full of encouragement, connection, and meaningful relationships that kept participants coming back year after year.
Nancy shared that her hope has always been that people leave her classes feeling supported, uplifted, and stronger (physically and mentally). Her impact on the Aiken community reflects exactly that.
With her recent retirement, we celebrate a truly remarkable chapter of service. Naming the Hansen Aerobics Room is just one way we honor Nancy’s lasting contributions to wellness, community, and the lives she has enriched across generations.
Thank you, Nancy, for everything you’ve done. Your legacy will continue to inspire every participant who walks through those doors.
